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Comedian and actor Hugh Dennis made his debut in a new role as Chancellor of the University of Winchester this week.
Hugh, who was installed in the honorary post in June, presided over his first graduation ceremony at Winchester Cathedral on Thursday.
Resplendent in purple hat and gown he joked to his audience of graduands: “I feel as self- conscious as you do in your robes.”
The start of Outnumbered and Mock the Week said his job as a chancellor was “a completely joyful one” to be carried out in the “ridiculously beautiful” surroundings of the cathedral.
He joked that the University would have given the graduands a love of learning and an ability to climb steep hills.
Hugh said that many of them would have had moments when they thought completing their degree would be impossible but “…in spite of that you are here. Step by step, challenge by challenge, you’ve done it and we couldn’t be prouder of you.”
He concluded: “You can be agents of change. Each of you has a voice and the potential to use that voice for good. I hope you find the courage to do that in the way your fellow Winchester students have done for almost 200 years.”
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Chancellor Hugh Dennis with Honorary fellow Mandy Hickson and Vice-Chancellor Profess Sarah Greer
During Hugh’s first fully day of graduation ceremonies honorary Fellowships were bestowed upon Mandy Hickson, the first woman to fly an RAF Tornado GR4 jet fighter on the front line, and husband and wife William and Maggie Carver, both successful business people, who founded The Licoricia of Winchester project to promote the city’s Jewish heritage.
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Honorary Fellows William and Maggie Carver
The Rev canon Professor Liz Stuart MBE, the University’s Professor of Christian Theology, who also served as Vice Chancellor from 2021-22, received an Honorary Doctorate for her work developing Queer Theology and campaigning for the full inclusion of LGBTQI+ people in the Church.
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Rev Liz Stuart with (from left) Vice-Chancellor Professor Sarah Greer, Pro Vice-Chancellor Sam Jones, Pro Vice-Chancellor Matt Webster, Gavin Hunter, Chief Operating Officer at the University of Winchester, and Pro Vice-Chancellor Angus Paddison
Pictures by Dominic Parkes
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